Movie Review – A.K.A. Doc Pomus (2013)

Paralyzed since childhood by polio Jerome Felder overcomes the crippling disease to become a renowned songwriter called Doc Pomus.

Often a song is associated with a group or solo artist but the originator of the tuneful and lyrical creation often becomes a historical footnote.  Filmmakers Peter Miller and Will Hechter who collaborated together on Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story (2010) have sought to rectify the oversight by casting the spotlight on the songsmith responsible for classics such as Save the Last Dance for Me, This Magic Moment, A Teenager in Love, and Viva Las Vegas.

Considering all the hardships he faced it is not surprising Jerome Felder connected with Blues music.  The active child was sent away to a summer camp by his parents to avoid a polio epidemic only to contract the paralyzing disease while swimming.  Undaunted by his crutches the younger Felder made an impromptu stage appearance at a club to become a singing sensation known as Doc Pomus; success was short-lived when record executives had no interesting in promoting a cripple.

Not all was lost as singing performances led to the Brill building where the rising artist joined the legendary community of songwriters responsible for numerous hit music singles.  Doc Pomus mined his own personal experiences to compose Billboard chart toppers which struck a chord with the public masses.  Life was not looking so blue as marriage and children followed.   However, monetary and martial problems undermined all of the achievements.  Oddly enough it was the death of Elvis Presley and the revival of his music catalogue which rescued Doc Pomus from his financial woes once and for all.

Archive footage and the recently deceased Lou Reed reading from private journals allows for Doc Pomus to speak from the grave.  A number of celebrities are interviewed from Ben E. King, Joan Osborne, Dion DiMucci, and B.B. King while the cousin of the songwriter is a scene stealer with her candour.  Emotional and funny moments are plentiful especially when the story behind the Save the Last Dance for Meis unveiled by the tearful ex-wife Willi Burke who recounts what happened during their wedding reception.  The hit songs are played throughout with a highlight occurring with the ending credits where clips of the various interviewees singing Save the Last Dance for Me is assembled to produce a fitting conclusion.  A.K.A. Doc Pomus is a heartfelt tribute to a man who wrote from the heart.